SB: Michele leaves as one of UTA's best
4/30/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
By Michael Eldridge | @DFWSportsMike
ARLINGTON, Texas - UT Arlington senior Meagan Michele has saved the best for last. As the clock nears midnight on her senior season, Michele has solidified her position as one of the program's best.
Michele has achieved top 10 career milestones, single-season records as well as gaining a group of lifelong friendships. The Mavericks close out their home schedule this weekend with a three-game series against rival Texas State starting Saturday.
"It hasn't really hit me until now that this is the last time I will be playing here," Michele said. "I am excited, but it is bittersweet. I am excited to do good things this weekend, but I am probably going to cry because I am going to miss it."
Michele's journey has been a learning experience on and off the field. She has faced challenges of a changing coaching staff to the loss of a family member during her four-year career. Having her grandfather pass two years ago helped Michele get closer to her teammates and overcome the loss.
"This has been a place that I feel safe and comfortable," she said, "and a place that is going to be part of my life forever."
The transition of a coaching change after her freshman season only helped her grow as a player. The excitement of UT Arlington coach Kristie Fox's arrival was something that Michele bought into. The improvement did not just come from on the field, but the change helped her grow as a person. Michele was able to reach out to her coach for advice in life.
"Meagan went from being a follower as a freshman to very quickly becoming a leader and I think that transition was hard for her, and she handled it very well," Fox said. "She bought into having a change and having to do things differently and I think that is why she was able to have success in the long run with that change."
Michele has earned her place into UTA's offensive record books. The Grand Prairie native is fourth in home runs (23) and extra-base hits (56), while she is sixth in doubles (31) and ninth in RBI (86). Her single-season milestones have helped her to the third-most home runs in a season with 12 and in a tie for second for single-season RBI with 44.
However, despite all of her achievements, Michele said that her memories would be of her teammates.
"They have been so supportive," Michele said. "They have helped me through a lot of stuff and will be life long friends. They have seen me at my worst and seen me at my best. We have been through it all together, through blood, sweat and tears. It is nice to have that feeling of friendship."
